Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar paravertebral myositis, degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, and other musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis as aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that it was caused by an in-service event.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and back disorder.,The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The hypertension with renal insufficiency and cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spur formation were both found to not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lung cancer was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for left and right knee disorders were denied due to lack of in-service event, injury or disease. An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, including gout, hypertension, GERD and IBS, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right lower extremity surgical scars. The Veteran contends that he should have higher initial ratings for these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 5, 2015, for the grant of service connection for cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation higher than 20 percent, prior to March 14, 2016, and an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent since March 14, 2016, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine L2-4 status post-surgery due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, effective October 19, 2017, finding that the reduction was improper due to an inadequate examination and insufficient evidence of sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema, bladder cancer, vision impairment, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle have not been granted compensable ratings or service connection. The claims for dyshidrotic eczema and vision impairment are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, status post osteotomy due to outstanding medical records and a need for a medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for various conditions, as he did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated as 10% prior to January 21, 2016 and remain at that level from January 21, 2016. The Board has found the evidence insufficient for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20% for limitation of motion/degenerative arthritis. A separate 10% rating has been granted for the symptomatic meniscectomy. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted, but a separate rating for the meniscectomy is.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of spine was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for payment of additional compensation for dependent spouse was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, is granted as service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on noise exposure during service.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.